Min Rose, who works in the University of Nottingham’s Asia Business Centre, has received a commendation for her 'Contribution to Public Services and the Community'.
The Mulan award recognises the success and achievements made by Chinese women worldwide to the UK.
A global network
The Mulan Foundation Network was launched as a charity at the House of Lords in 2013. It aims to recognise and honour the achievements of Chinese women in the UK through Annual Awards. Its goal is to build up a global network of successful Chinese women giving opportunities for networking, mentoring and supporting each other, as well as celebrating their contributions to the societies and business communities in which they live.
The award reception was attended by Chinese women from the UK, China and other parts of Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Min was awarded the Commendation for her work in promoting and connecting UK-China business, enterprise and academic partnerships with the University of Nottingham and the wider Chinese community. After picking up the award she said: “If there is such a thing as a 'dream job', I am doing it!”
Chairman, Mei Sim Lai OBE DL and the Trustees of Mulan Foundation Network, added: “Chinese women are increasingly playing an important and influential role in the UK across public service, education, business, science, charities and arts and culture.
Inspiration to others
"However for far too long they have kept a generally low profile. Mulan aims to address this issue by recognising their achievements and use them as inspirations to encourage more Chinese women to use their own skills and talents to help others.”
Min worked for the Sichuan Provincial Government for five years before obtaining a Masters Degree at Leicester University. She was the founder of the Leicestershire-Sichuan Trade Bureau between 2004 and 2006 before becoming the China Business Advisor at the East Midlands Development Agency for five years, working with over 1,700 businesses in the East Midlands and connecting them with Chinese businesses.
In the past three years, Min and the Asia Business Centre have been instrumental in increasing the University's impact in China and Asia. The team won the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Award 2013: Outstanding International Strategy.
Promoting UK-China links
Receiving the commendation, Min said: “I’m honoured to be recognised and commended for doing something I have been passionate about and enjoy doing. The ambitious vision for Asia envisaged by the University’s leadership not only gives me great opportunities to apply my knowledge and skills, but also constantly challenges me to keep learning and developing.
"I am indebted to the great support and inspiration from my colleagues. I look forward to continuing my work promoting UK-China links in knowledge exchange, education, trade and investment, employability and philanthropy.”
In addition, Min has been actively advocating and supporting ethnic minorities in the East Midlands in her voluntary roles as the Chair and Board Director of the Mainstream Partnership in Leicester, and also as the founder of the China Business Association.
Bringing together UK and Chinese businesses
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Greenaway commented: “Min has taken a visionary view in bringing together UK and Chinese businesses. Her ability to develop an idea into an opportunity is extraordinary and has resulted in exciting new projects which have put the University of Nottingham at the forefront of UK-China industrial engagement.
“The University’s collaboration with Chinese Creative Industries is an example of bringing together talent through our students and academics and matching with the incredible growth opportunities in the Chinese creative sector.”
For information about The University of Nottingham’s work with businesses and Asia visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/servicesforbusiness
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